Compact cylinders drive down costs and lift productivity

Pneumatics company SMC has launched two compact cylinders which it claims will help reduce machine sizes and costs.

The company says it's responding to demand for space-saving components that drive down costs and boost productivity.

The cylinders form part of the J Series, which was shown for the first time in Australia at Auspack this month.

The JMGP guide cylinder and compact JCQ Series have been designed with weight and space savings in mind.

Both help to reduce machine sizes and costs, and deliver increased efficiency due to their lightweight nature.

This could enhance cycle time, according to SMC Australia and New Zealand head of OEM and key accounts Tony Randall.

By increasing the size, the operating pressure can be reduced and performance maintained, which leads to energy conservation.

“We feel this cylinder will satisfy the required air cylinder specifications, based on many customers' comments," he says.

"By developing the product in response to our customers’ operating conditions, it's possible to achieve a more compact body for the product.

"An investigation survey completed on customer operations revealed it's possible to cover large parts of the market with half of the current capacity.

"Therefore, the new products match the market demand.”

According to Randall, it's possible to increase the cylinder size using the same footprint as an existing product. By increasing the size, the operating pressure can be reduced and performance maintained, which leads to energy conservation.

Intermediate sizes are available, which means the footprint of the product can be reduced and performance maintained.

The JMGP is a guide cylinder, featuring a dual rod, which has been designed for a variety of applications including pushing, clamping and lifting where there are space and weight restrictions in a transport line or for robotic manipulation and handling.

The compact JCQ suits similar applications where a short cylinder is required, but without the lifting capability.